So-niele

Aloha Day 18

Monday bloody Monday.

All the kids got a haircut today. Even babyM! First it was J. He was in need of some cleaning up, so I took the clippers and cleaned his hair up a bit. Next was babyM, her hair was all sorts of uneven and we had never cut her hair since she was born, so I asked my mom to even her out a bit. I put all the cuttings in a plastic bag to keep. I did it with the other kids too, only thing is don’t ask me where their clippings are. D’oh! Next up was lilmiss. Her hair is pretty but really uneven as well and I figured she could use a cut to stimulate some growth in her hair. It was down to her waist almost and Mama trimmed off about 5 inches. YEAH! That’s a lot I know, but her hair grows fast so it’s okay.

What should have been a trip into town turned into a trip to Salt Lake and Pearl City.

We went to check out the other Target, and ooh wee found some good deals! I spied a 75% off end cap and found a bunch of “summer” line stuff that was on clearance. Got Mom a bunch of things for the house and nothing was over $1.50. Lol. Score. Picture frames, placemats, knives, and the like. The kids even managed to get a little something.

Then it was off to Kmart by the stadium to pick up some shampoo for the girls b/c it was on sale.

Then to Sam’s Club to have lunch and pick up some necessities.

Just a lot of errand running and mundane stuffs.

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Aloha Day 15

Woke up bright and early and headed off to the open market (aka Farmer’s Market) in Ewa. When my dad was still alive, we used to make the trek all the way out to his old stomping grounds in Wahiawa. Thank goodness we found the one in Ewa b/c Wahiawa is a bit of a trek and once the horn sounds at 9am, by 915am everything is pretty much gone.

It was HOT that day w no tradewind to speak of, so the 2 big kids and I headed down to the library to soak up some free a/c. Mama wasn’t in the mood to go and I wasn’t in the mood to deal with babyM. The kids got a handful of books and we spent a good hour in there reading random things and such.

And that was Friday!

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Aloha Day 14

Beach Day! Mom wasn’t too keen on going as the skies were gray and it appeared to be showering in some areas.

Me and the kids weren’t having any of that though and packed up the things, made a lunch, and headed out to lagoon #4.

As we were driving through the parking lot, it seemed crowded, but luckily we have the little blue pass that can normally guarantee us a spot. We found a nice spot under the usual tree and set up shop. babyM already knew what the beach was all about and set off on her own, until she remembered sand and that she didn’t like walking in it much. So I carried her out to the shoreline and she did her thing. As we were there, the beach started to fill up.

After awhile of playing in the sand and water with the kids, it was time to head up to Mama and have a bite to eat, and from there we really realized that the beach had filled up.

Did the beach thing and then headed home.

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Aloha Day 11

Recovery from party day.

Just a bit of tidying up needed to be done and a little bit of loafy-ness.

We finally headed to the local library and got Mama and J library cards. Damn that place is BEE-YOO-TI-FULL! 2 stories. Lots of space. Lots of Hawaiiana. Lots of books. Found Mom her essential areas of the library and J found a handful of books and so did the girls. I took out some DVDs too. The only thing that sucks is that “rentals” are $1, whereas back home DVD “rentals” are FREE.

Anyhow came home, to find the DVDs so scratched up that we weren’t able to watch them. It was 430PM, library closed at 5PM. So J and I hauled butt back to the library and explained what happened. She tried them out on their equipment and 1 of the discs out of 4 was able to play but she gave us the refund back anyhow. Woo hoo.

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Aloha Day 9

Saturday like I said is really rather nothing day. We prepped the house for tomorrow’s party and did any food prep that could be done.

Went to church, and stated that we (the girls and me) would not be attending next week, it’s a longer mass b/c of baptisms and the girls are just out of hand naughty some times.

Came home had dinner and then babyM and I stole some time away together and went to Target for some necessities. The heat has been wreckin havoc on her and I forgot to get some diaper rash cream. Also got some anti itch cream for the kids b/c the mosquitoes are still feasting on us. Also got some crackers for J and popcorn for N. And some small bowls for the party tomorrow. Mom realized she didn’t have any cake plates.

Tomorrow… we PAR-TAY!

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Aloha Day 8

We have been here 1 week now and it all feels so natural. Like we’ve always been here. Lol.

Today we just ran errands for Sunday’s upcoming party.

First a trip to the Open Market in Ewa Beach. Fresh veggies, fresh fruits, and fresh from the mornings catch seafood. Oh yeah and even baked Pilipino goodies. I love going b/c I hear all the Manongs and Manangs speaking Ilokano (my family’s dialect). Something you don’t hear all too often back home in the mainland b/c everyone speaks Tagalog. Brings me back to the past at old family parties with my grandma or even when I would go to her house. I would hear her talking on the phone to someone. LOVE IT!

Then it was off to Foodland to pick up some water for the 3 day sale. Remember sticker shock here.

Back home we went to unload and teeter around the house for a bit and then we were off to Pearlridge. I wanted to hit up Price Busters for goodie bag things for the kids that are coming. I decided NOT to get a pinata this year, well b/c funds are low.

Also hit up the babyGap. Dang I always find good stuff here that the kids can wear. I guess things that they don’t necessarily wear here b/c of the weather. Found a cute sweater for the lilmiss, originally $29.50, marked down to $12.99 +25% off. When I got to the register, it was actually $7.99 +25% off, so it was a whopping $5.99 with only a 4.??% tax. Unlike back home it’s 9.5%.

There is a bug exhibit @ Pearlridge and it’s pretty neat. The bugs are huge.

We parked by Macy’s and so on our way out I hit up the kids section there too. Deals upon deals. AGAIN! Finished off babyM’s gift cert. Found her some Hurley stuff. So cute. A sweatshirt that was originally $36 for only $7.99 and a tshirt that was originally $14, for $4.99. And a really pretty Guess blouse that was originally $21.50, $4.99. I’m telling you. I always find such good stuff for the kids in Hawaii.

Then it was off to Costco for some finishing stuff for the party.

Came home, had dinner and then it was to work I went. Rolled lumpia and made spinach dip. Whew!

My toes and fingers feel like sausages. I hate the water retention and the heat. It does things like that to me here. I feel so swollen.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and as you know it’s clean up and church day… so we won’t be doing much of anything.

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Aloha Day 5

What started off to be a nothing day evolved into a trip into town.

Before we left, S gave me a giftcard to upgrade my 1st gen iP.hone for the new 3gs. Everywhere in our area they were out of the white 16gb. So I had been checking online the stock out here. All weekend no one had them. Low and behold this morning I went to check and there was stock. So with no coaxing at all, what was supposed to be a Friday trip to Ala Moana, we made it a Tuesday trip.

We waited for the traffic to die down to make the trek out there as well as time it right so that our trip back home we wouldn’t be sitting in traffic either. Been there, done that, and it’s no fun. There’s only 1 way home, unlike back in the mainland there are varying ways to get home. Not here.

First stop. Apple Store. Was crazy like a madhouse in there but it seemed everyone was just playing with the merchandise and feeding off the free internet. Finally flagged someone down only to have him tell me that they were out of my beloved white 16gb 3gs. BULLSHIT! I told him that I checked that morning online and they had them in stock. With much relunctance he decided to check the stock room for me. I told S this very story, and he told me I should have asked for the manager. Anyhow he comes walking out with my beloved. Lol. The process took awhile and he was annoying me b/c he wasn’t a very good salesman. He cared nothing for what I had to say, not even a smidgen of small talk. I know for certain they don’t work on commission but bitch PLEASE! Appease me, I’m plunking down funds here not chump change. After all was said and done I walked out with my beloved and her new Hawaiian style air jacket.

Next stop was just a few steps away at Macy’s, mom’s little indulgence store. I actually still had some gift card left to spend on babyM so we hit that up and successfully found some deals. Then to Shirokiya for their White Taiyaki event. Yum.

We walked the mall some more just seeing what’s new and what not and then headed to Don Quixote Daiei for dinner first and then a bit of grocery shopping. I saw my DVDs that I want. Buttttttt….. not at $105. AUWE. I saw someone selling them online on craigslist for $65 so I might have to try that route.

Hit up Nordstrom Rack on the way out of town. Found some shoes for the kids and saw that Marukai had closed . And finally headed back home.

A very successful trip into town. And I am in absolute love with my new phone, especially the video. I think I’ve been sending S far more videos of the kids than photos as of late.

When we got home, my mom played catch up on the phone with my auntie and in turn ended up deciding that we would have a party for N afterall. So there is a birthday party scheduled for Sunday.

Happy 15th birthday to JWS!!!

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Aloha day 2

As with all Saturdays with my mom we don’t really do much other than church. Today is normally clean the house day. People always rag on me or ask me what we’re doing today? This is essentially our 2nd home and had we been home, if there are no parties or functions to attend then we stay home.

Lilman pleaded to go to the pool but I’m just not in that mode yet. And that would have required toting the lilmiss along and she’s a pain in the butt at the pool b/c they don’t allow any sort of flotation device.

After dinner we took a trip down to Safeway b/c there were a few things in the ad that I wanted to get. Yeah. There weren’t anymore. And the stupid man who works the counter, who is supposed to work the poke counter was NO help whatsoever. And holy hot damn did I have some sticker shock. I was jonesin for some chips but I guess with these prices it’s best that I don’t have any. Lol. 2 bags of Lay’s for $9 and normally back home sometimes it’s 2/$3 OH HELL!

I’m going to try and sleep early tonight and hit up the market early in the morning, I have big plans to bbq up some chicken *crossing fingers*

Operation “weenie” is going well. My mom managed to keep her in bed with her all night. She said babyM woke up scratching at her shirt around 4:30am, so she got her a cup of milk and a little tossing and turning and she was back to sleep. I actually miss her, but I’ll let her sleep with my mom until full weaning is ensured.

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The final countdown.

We are in the home stretch. Today is the 5th of July and NKOTB is in 4 days and we leave for Hawaii in 5. HOLY MOLY Batman I am so not ready for this.

Yesterday we spent our freedom at a picnic in the East Bay with my sister and her friends/family. S and the girls swam while I sat around. Food was good and plentiful and everyone seemed to have a good time. We were s’posed to stay and watch the fireworks out there until my niece said we would be walking up some hill that wasn’t very child friendly, so we decided to make the trek back home. Lilmiss was none to happy about it b/c she made a friend and was hoping to watch the festivities with her. I already knew she was beyond tired though and making that trek up and back would not have been a fun one. We caught a few random fireworks on the drive home though and she missed them ALL b/c she was knocked the heck out!

So guess what? BOTH girls are sick and so am I. Ughz. I have that achy all over feeling and congestion and gala galas. Ick! babyM has the faucet nose and cough and lilmiss has a cough. Fun, fun, fun! NOT! Just what I need huh? The house is in shambles and all I really want to do right now is flush my system with a steaming hot shower just so my head can feel clear.

Hope your 4th was nice and you enjoyed your day.

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Summer

Summer is in full swing over here but we haven’t been up to much of interest to y’all.

I think I need a countdown for NKOTB and then the following day we depart for our Hawaiian Hiatus. Lilman is leaving next week with my mom though, to keep her company and so forth. I am so not ready for the concert or to leave for that matter. Ughz. And I am NOT looking forward to being on the plane with the 2 girls by my lonesome. At least if I had to go to the bathroom I could leave babyM with J. Guess I’ll just have to haul her to the bathroom w me. YUCK. And knowing N, she’ll want to come too. I am in need of a getaway though and as much as getting away seems selfish I really wish the mister could come with, or at least come for a few days and kick his feet up. I think the last time we went away as a family was before lilmiss turned 1 and we went to Disneyl.and.

In about a month, lilmiss turns 4. FOUR! And plans are for her to go to preschool in the fall…. and I am so lagging on getting on the ball with that. Pffft. So many things to do. So many other things to do.

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California Mission Project

If you didn’t know, 4th grade in California Catholic schools is the California Mission Project. I’m not sure what is done in public schools, I know they learn something about the Missions but I don’t think a project is assigned. As mentioned before we were handed down a bunch of good loot from Sabrinasmom. An awesome book that J can use for his report as well as some fences, monks, greenery. Before J had been assigned his Mission, I had hoped that he would get something close so that we could do and visit the Mission. With our luck, he got Mission Santa Clara. Woo hoo. So today we made our way down the peninsula.

The Mission is located on the Santa Clara University campus. What a nice campus at that. Wow. And the weather today was wow too, so it might have added to the wow factor. Lol. Just our luck though, a wedding was taking place right as we got there so there was not a lot of snooping done inside. We walked the outsides and students were sunbathing on the grounds. Lol. The kids were caught off guard when people would plop their belongings down on the grass and start taking off their shirts. The main point in our visit was to get an idea of the construction. And I think we got it. J is supposed to do the construction mostly on his own, so that will be quite a challenge. He has big ideas but can never complete them on his own. We were also lent a book from HotDad and son about the Missions. They did them last year, and that should come in handy as well.

I’m excited and yet fearful at the same time. As always there will be a lot of parental contributions but we need to mask those somehow

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What a treat!?!?!

Something FREE on your birthday?

Disney corporation is giving you a FREE ticket into the park of your choice: Disneyland or Disneyworld, on YOUR birthday!!!

More than likely we’ll be in Hawaii when J, N, or even my birthday rolls around. But maybe for BM’s? Even if you’re a season pass holder or have a multi day ticket you can still take advantage of a FREE something. Be sure to check it out and register!!!

We are soooooo itching to go to Disneyland!!!

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1 week down

We’ve been here 1 week already. And it seems it’s gone by all too fast.

I still haven’t had any shave ice. No Zippy’s. Barely plate lunch. None of my fave garlic chicken or garlic mahi. I’ve had a teaser portion of haupia cake a teaser of poke. I’ve shared a plate lunch at Yummy’s and even shared an Apple Napple. Oh and I’ve been totally digging mama’s cooking. Oh hell yeah! Especially the dinengdeng, nothing better than fresh veggies and sweet Kahuku shrimp *slurps*!!!

We’ve gone to the pool once and it was an all bad experience. First the lilmiss lost her knowledge of swimming. Not that she had any real ones to begin with but her confidence went into the toilet. Last year she could “monkey walk” the pool and even dunk her head. That day we went she couldn’t even hold the sides of the pool and either wanted to strangle hold me or sit at the pool’s edge. Which meant no aerobis workout for me. Despite there being 2 lifeguards there, I was afraid she might fall in anyhow. So yeah, she’s not coming to the pool anymore. Pffft. Then I think the pool man must’ve overdone it with the chlorine b/c it tasted like crap. Ewww. And when we got home, the baby was NOT having anything to do with feedings b/c she too could taste the crappy chlorine water on me. Ewww.

The boy has been asking to go to the beach and being that the baby is exclusively @ the bo.ob, that can’t happen unless the mama comes along b/c a trip to the beach, takes a LOT of time. And the mama doesn’t like to be in the sun much, let alone the beach b/c she doesn’t go in. She’s allergic to the sun. Doesn’t that suck?

Yeah so 1 week down. Don’t know how many more we have to go, maybe like 6 or something. Heh.

aloha

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Intentions are there

I brought the camera out on our adventures yesterday but they weren’t much in the way of adventures. Just stopped at my aunt’s like I said and swung by Walmart, did NOT get my flat iron either. Grr. This is not looking pretty!

This morning when I woke, I couldn’t even see the mountains bc there was rain and fog and lots of it. Blech. But the skies have cleared and nothing but blue skies but we normally don’t go out on Saturdays out here b/c my mom cleans and such and then we go to church. We stay away from the beaches b/c we would be waiting a long while for a parking space and then a nice space of beach space. Why bother when we can go when everyone is at work during the week. Right? And just like I at home, I loathe going shopping on the weekends, again b/c there are hoards of people probably trying to beat the heat. So we just hang out in the ‘hood. I would take the kids to the pool down the street but that would ensue tired and crankiness when it’s time to go to church. Maybe when we’re finally fully adjusted to the time change. Then maybe.

BM seemed a pit peeved that we’re not doing anything. We’ve got 6 other days out of the week to do things. And we’re kinda on vacation, and yet we’re not. Like I’ve said, this is literally our second home and it’s not as if we’re constantly on the go when we’re back home. Right? Oh wells.

I would go outside and take pictures of my favorite flowers, but the mosquitoes loooooooooove me and that’s NOT a good thing . Since last night I have 4 bites and counting. Grrrr!!!

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Creeping

Vamos day is creeping up on us. And I’m ready more or less but now the anxiety is creeping up too. I was thinking that the plane would be no sweat, well a teeny tiny sweat might break out but I think I could handle it. Now that the reality is getting closer, my sweat glands are about to burst!

I feel like telling people to not get behind me in the line. I’ve got shit to unload and people to get through. If only I didn’t have to take the laptop and camera out the bag I think I could handle it! B/c there’s still the matter of folding up the stroller all with the infant! Not in it of course. OY! The lilmiss will be getting the limo ride through the airport while the baby will be worn. And then being on the plane itself, here’s hoping that the lilmiss knocks the funk out for a good portion of it. What was I thinking getting the 3 seats in the middle? I should’ve opted to get 2 window seats and having the boy on the other side just so that N could be corralled and entertained with the window. But my hopes are that she’ll be, again, knocked the funk out. The baby I’m just hoping will be happy that I’ll be holding her the entire time. I mean really that’s what she wants now, why should she complain otherwise.

And then there’s the issue of my baggage luggage. We’re allowed a parcel for every seat we paid for, that makes 3. We’ve got 2 suitcases and I’m checking the infant carseat. But I’m worried the luggages might be overweight, what else is new? Then there’s the other issue of bills that need to be taken care of before we depart and then the spending money. Damn, maybe we shouldn’t be going?

What am I dreading over there? The mosquitoes. The heat. The humidity. The food. Yeah as much as I love to eat over there, it’s sure to put on some poundage that I got rid of. But it’s nice to know that my mom will be there so I can take a shower in peace knowing that the baby isn’t screaming bloody murder. I can’t wait to hit the beach either and work on my tan. Lol. I want to go swimming and get some aerobic exercise going.

I really shouldn’t be sitting here. But I needed to get some things off my mind. I think my anxiety is only escalating even more. Aloha for now…

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*Notes to self*

Things in April:

Sunday, April 6th: Dad’s 1 year memorial luncheon
Saturday, April 12th: 2PM Justin’s 1st bday, 230PM Zack’s 2nd bday
14th to 18th: J is on Spring Break
Thursday, April 17th: BM’s bday, 9AM babyM’s 2 month wbc and immunizations
Saturday, April 19th: Baby Shower for the Julians
Sunday, April 27th: Ally’s Red Egg and Ginger Party/ Baptism

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Showering

Despite her early arrival, I was still showered today with a lovely ladies’ tea. AWWW YEAH! What a way to feel loved and to be able to feel normal again. I’m telling you that curtain did some things to my psyche. Heh!

Got a lot of good loot to boot which is always nice. After lilmiss had outgrown her goods I willingly and wantingly gave them away. They went to friends, family, even the motherland. I saved little outfits here and there, but I can honestly say that they amount to 5 pieces of clothing. BabyM is considered a preemie so even the newborn clothes she is swimming drowning in.

I felt bad that we almost didn’t make it to the shower. Lilmiss who initially hadn’t been on the invite, at my request, joined in on the fun and she was pure entertainment to me. She wanted to drink out of the tea cup, so we had to fool her and put her lemonade in there just so that she could. My girl had her pinkies up and everything. Comedy. She even daintily ate her little sammiches. I’m hoping my friend got some good shots of her. I love the Secret Garden’s food. Oh yum!

I’m surprised my mom has been allowing me out and about as much as she has. It’s Pilipino superstition to be out so much after giving birth. She is constantly yelling scolding me for even the littlest of things… even down to the speed of my walk, just so my va-jay-jay isn’t dragging to the ground some day. LMAO. Constantly trying to feed me and telling me what to eat and what not to eat. We were released yesterday and being church day for my mom, we tagged along. I thought it appropriate, I didn’t think it would be a bad thing… it’s church afterall. Well my parents’ old school church chronies (all Italian) thought otherwise and scolded me for actually wanting to be in the house of the Lord to get my prayer on and thanking him for letting us get through the birth and everything safely. Sure I know I could do that anywhere, but since my mom was going, why not tag along. Today my mom came for the tea which was nice. Tomorrow she’s got a whole list of things for me to do and places to go. What a nut. But shhh… don’t tell her I don’t think she’s realizing it herself.

I should really be sleeping, being that I have to set my alarm every 2-3 hours to feed BabyM, she’s so little she can just sleep and sleep. Pfft. She’s off an on with the breastfeeding and we have to supplement her a little too. Got some freebies from the hospital so once those are done, hopefully at the same time this engorgement goes away, the full on breastfeeding will kick in.

The house is in SERIOUS disarray. It sucks. But we haven’t really been here the past week. And when we are here, it’s to sleep or we’re confined to the room b/c damn it’s benn cold.

But showering… yeah it’s a nice thing, especially when it’s in your honor. Or for the early arrival of your new little one. Actual showering with the whole water and everything is also a good thing… especially when you’re not allowed to do it after birthing someone b/c you’ve got meds stuck in your arms.

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Pitter patter whoosh

That’s the sound of the rain and winds outside. Yeah again! And it looks like we’ll have another steady week of it, through the weekend.

*Sweats on- check
*Slipper socks- check
*Glasses on-check
*Laptop charged- check
*Dinner= leftovers- check
*Heater on- check

All the things I need to get through the evening. Here’s praying the power doesn’t go down!

Time to get LOST tonight…. finally!

I’m really kinda groovin on our “new” schedule with the switch of karate. Although I miss my fellow parents to converse with in the other class, it’s kinda nice not having anything to do on Thursdays and Fridays. But then there will probably be another schedule change with all that’s going on with hula. UGH.

Super bowl 42 on Sunday. I have no personal plans and the BM is going to watch it with some friends from work, so I have requested that he take the lilman with him. I don’t have any plans as of yet either, but I might.

Okay time to fire up my DVD and finish off this KDrama.

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Auwe

I think I went and left my pa-china in the parking lot of Costco today. Lifting too much weight when I’m not supposed to *spanks own hand*.

J’s science project is done. As far as we’ve been told, the Science Fair is on Thursday but I don’t know if there is going to be an assembly or anything like that. He was a special chosen candidate by his teacher. Not everyone had to do it, I thik 3 out of 20 in his class. It’s nothing to him though b/c he’s been doing his “own” Science project since 1st grade. This was an easy one!

My lil Canon point and shoot has an auwe too . The left top corner of the screen is cracked. It’s still very usable but still! That’s my just in case camera and my little avi camera too. So after seeing that I got all worried about my little “big gun”. It’s safe and sound. After all these years though in the same camera case in the bottom of my purse it never experienced any harm!!! Maybe it was feeling neglected? Heh?

So although J has a day off from school today, he’s still got karate tonight. Gonna finish off the leftovers from yesterday and maybe whip up some mini blueberry cheesecakes!

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Celebrations and crankiness

Today we headed across the bridge to celebrate nephew1’s birthday. He’s on his last year of his teens. Yeah, way to make an auntie feel old. But then again I can’t even imagine how old my sister must be feeling . No muss, no fuss time spent in their house munching and munching away. Can’t beat Chevy’s chips and salsa ordered in and Mexican yumminess all around. Oh yeah and there was cake to be had. Cake= good.

Unfortunately the lilmiss… not feeling so good as of late. I thought she was just tired and cranky at the party but when we got home she wasn’t her usual chipper self. She wanted to go to bed early. She requested medicine. Unfortunately we have to forego that, b/c there isn’t any in the house at the moment. I told her we’d go tomorrow. Maybe it will be gone by then, but I’m not counting on it. As soon as we crawled into bed, out like a light with an occasional stir here and there and a whine. Poor bebeh! She hasn’t been sick in a little bit and just as the weather is getting better… we are hit. BLAH!

Tomorrow is Monday. Back to the grind. J starts a new schedule with karate which moves him to Mondays and Wednesdays. Sucks for me. Hula is still on Tuesdays. Got lots going on this week. Need to turn in a new school application, doctor’s appointments, among other things towards the end of the week that hopefully all goes well.

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Give me something to bake…

B/c I am soooooo set! Today Err yesterday, Sunday, I finally met up with the girls from high school and we had our gift exchange/ holiday get together. It was Southern Style fixins for eats and damn everything was deeee-li-shuz! Pulled pork sammiches, cole slaw, hodge podge soup, green beans with bacon and onions, candied yams, and for dessert although not Southern… but very yummy, some chocolate mousse thinger and rice krispy treats. As always lots of talking, lots of eating, lots of catching up, and lots of giggling.

My gift was a big hit with my giftee. I don’t like to sway from the wishlist… yes we put them out there b/c after knowing each other this long, it just makes life easier and more pleasant for everyone. I thought I had failed miserably though b/c she asked for a BLACK down vest. I spied one in Sear’s BEFORE Christmas and snagged it. I don’t like to mess around when I see something at a grrrrrrrreat price , even though we didn’t meet til well after the Christmas hoopla. As I was wrapping it the other night and in the light of my own home, it wasn’t black. AWwwww shit! And then I go to check the tag and it says Sierra Brown. Damn me! Anyhow K-lady opened her box of goodness and the color was a bit hit…. with her and everyone else for that matter. So much so that 2 of the others had to try it on. She wore it the remainder of the night. YAY ME! The other part of her gift was a gc for Bare Escentuals, another off her wishlist.

Not to say that I didn’t like my gift. B/c I love it! My gifter didn’t stray either and I got a bonus in mine . She threw in a Timbuk2 wallet that I don’t need. But I got my Pyrex glass measuring cups as well as my stainless steel measuring cups and measuring spoons and these really cute bonus spoons that measure: smidgens, pinches, and 2 others that are slipping my mind. So yeah I’m set with my sets. With all the baking and cooking that I do, you would think I would have already had that kinda stuff. Well I didn’t, I had plastic crap, and they were just that. Crap. And let’s not even get into the fact that I can’t even tell you where the measuring spoons are, b/c I don’t know. They disappeared somewhere, sometime ago so I’ve been kinda eyeballing when it came to teaspoon and tablespoon measurements

Thanks to the BM for giving me some time away from the keiki. A whole 5 hours without them. YAY! Although the ladies were looking for them, I decided to go this get together alone and it was a nice time away. Of course the lilmiss was more than happy when I walked in the door showering me with hugs and kisses. It’s nice to be missed too .

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It’s Friday, right? I think so?!?!?

I’m all out of sorts today b/c I didn’t get much sleep last night, had to wake early this morning, and now the BM is home. It’s more that he’s home that’s throwing me off b/c normally on weeknights he’s at work at this time, and most especially on Fridays we don’t see him til the next morning.

Yeah I don’t know what happened to me, but I had a helluva time falling alseep last night, I think it was 3:30AM and by the time I was all into my sleep, my sister called from LA for my wake up call @ 7:30AM. I took my time getting up though and by the time I was all ready to go she called me from SFO. I picked up my good old box of Aloha from Mama !!! The majority of the contents were Christmas ornaments, , and of course the keiki made out like bandits. BM and lilman got UH Warrior gear to sport for the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday. Heh. Colt Brennan is such a cutie!

Then by the time I emptied the contents of the box and put them away, it was time to go to the movies. As planned for a few weeks now, we met up with lilman’s friend and his family to catch the matinee showing of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Very cute movie! Lilmiss was good for the first 30 minutes of the movie and then she got restless. Thankfully the movie was only 1.5 hours long. I’ll have to admit I did snooze out a little bit, not b/c the movie was boring or anything but b/c of lack of sleep.

Originally we were going to join them for lunch, but bailed out and ended up heading to Costco. Got hot dogs, a rotisserie chicken, and stocked up on some chicken for the freezer. I’ve been having an itch to make some fried chicken wings *slurp*. On the way home, stopped at dim sum, b/c we missed out the other day. Heh. And finally made it home. Filled our bellies and sooner than I know it, I’m on the couch… snoozing away. I wake up to find BM home and the keiki watching a DVD.

Lots of things to do this weekend too. Gotta meet up with my sister to pick out tiles and bathroom things for the revamped bathroom that is occurring @ our parents’ house and then Sunday is Blue Christmas with friends down the peninsula. I still haven’t figured out what to bring for that either. Normally I would pick a dessert but it seems that’s what everyone else has signed up for, and how NOT fun would that be?

Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight, despite taking a nap again today b/c it’s an early morning again tomorrow. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

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I went, I spent, I barely survived

Nearly 12 hours out. Yes. 12. Mama Toots and Brother Toots picked me up at 10:30PM and we headed down to Gilroy for midnight madness. We had been anticipating these events for quite some time. . Bigmister loaded my wallet and stayed home with the keiki while I shopped and shopped. Unfortunately we forgot about the traffic and line up to get OFF the freeway @ the exit so travelling 2 miles took 1.5 HOURS. Yeah stupid!

But it was worth it for all the savings that happened. We were armed with our arsenal of coupons and an attack plan of where we wanted to go. My list is nearly wiped clean with the exception of 4-6 people. Niiiiiiiiice eh? Happened on a store that wasn’t in the plan but walked out with some good stuff! YAY !!!! And even bought things for people that I had forgot to put on the list. YAY!!!!

But what the hell, everyone and their mama was there. For reals. Some of the stores I just could not understand the snaking lines to just get INSIDE! Crazy. We finally left that area around 6AM. Yeah we’re crazies huh? But the savings they were offering us early birds was completely and utterly worth it.

We made a stop @ the mall and finally called it, er… a morning @9AM. Whew.

I ate some breakfast and then fell into a nice deep slumber. Had to get up though as the bigmister had to head to work and my mommy duties resumed.

Lilman is enjoying a video game at the moment and the lilmiss is curled up in her blankie taking a nap. she was getting cranky. woo boy! I might just curl up next to her and nap again.

How was your black friday?

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Lazy Sunday

Not really, but kinda. I deserve it though. At least I think so.

The parties were good fun and it’s always nice to see my Ate and lil bro from college. As well as hang out with their parents’ and families, get caught up, and meet the keikis. Had some YUMMAY in the tummy Ro.und Tabl.e pizza and salad and then The Bee Movie in the East Bay. Headed home, rested a bit, filled our bellies. And then headed down to the South Bay for the other party @ Pum.p It. U.p. It poured down rain the entire time we drove to and from and here and there but it didn’t bother me none.

Today I’ve been doing laundry and uploading photos from the parties. Just kinda lounging around the house. Oh yeah I went thru the lilmissy’s smallish clothes and put them aside for now. Boy did that make a big dent in her clothes, but it makes a helluva difference when I’m trying to find her something to wear.

There are so many things I would love to stuff my face with at the moment: Hooter’s wings, a nice juicy steak, shrimps, mashed taters, cake, and/ or sushi… LoL… but we have NONE of those things in the house nor any plans to go out to eat. Phooey!.

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Annual Trip the Pumpkin Patch

We had our annual trip to take the keiki to the pumpkin patch today. Wasn’t sure if the weather was going to cooperate and other than things being a lil damp, it was a good trip. Lilmiss loooooooooooooooooved pushing the wheel barrows around and didn’t really care to share much. The keiki picked 2 small ones and I don’t even know if I’ll be able to carve them. Heh.

Lilman also picked up his costume finally today.

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Columbus Day Dinner

It’s really rather a strange day. The lilman had the day off, something he hasn’t had off in 3 years. Had a busy weekend, went out to watch the Blue Angels being that it was Fleet Week here in SanFr.ancisco. Scored really good seats even. Made it a day out there and walked a LOT! From the Ferry Building to Ghiradelli and back. There was a ton of cars and people out there so I’m happy that we walked it and used Muni instead of herding with the masses. Thankfully bigmister works along some street car lines, otherwise I’m sure we would have been with the herds.

Unfortunately, we’ve been eating out waaaaaaaaaaaay too much, lunch and dinner yesterday while we were out on the town. I’m in one of my “moods” again where I just don’t care to cook, and there hasn’t been much in the way of cooking anyhow other than things from the freezer that can be microwaved. Blech.

So today I trekked to Cost.co for some things for the fridge and tummies, and a few things for lilman’s school lunches. I’ve been on a fish kick again and so salmon it was. The salmon in the picture does NOT give it justice, it’s just my crappy cellphone camera. But it was delish nonetheless. Just a few sprinkles of garlic salt, a few pats of butter, and some fresh lemon slices and juice. Strangely my keiki love asparagus. I’m not complaining, NO I’m not. I just find it strange that they gobble up the stuff on their plates. Clearly something they didn’t get from their dad. I was skeptical that N wouldn’t eat her share of salmon but she finished hers and asked for more . YAY! I’m hoping that the bigmister doesn’t get wind of the leftovers in the fridge, he’s @ work right now, so that we can enjoy it again tomorrow for dinner .

I love to cook, I just hate having to “think” of things to eat that BOTH kids will eat. J has a “picky” palate at times, he’s not much into “ethnic” food. Lilmiss has her days when she can be picky and will only eat rice and soy sauce. So today’s meal was a great success, unfortunately salmon and asparagus aren’t always on sale.

I’ve thought about making a menu on Sundays to prep myself, like another mommy friend does. And maybe someday I will, it just hasn’t happened yet.

Posted in babbles, keiki, cooking, eating, shopping, ohana, weekend, getaways, big mister, out&about | 1 Comment »

Children’s Playground

After reading Sarah’s blog about how they spent a lovely day in Golden Gate Park, I got all excited. I didn’t know that it had reopened! It was a long time coming. I used to have birthdays there when I was a tot. I basically outgrew that place, and now it’s new and pretty. It was looking scary and shady for awhile, wood structures are definitely out. The new name is definitely never going to sit in my book, forever and always will it Children’s Playground in my book.

So another lovely day occurred today, as should be expected this time of year. And being that it’s one of J’s ‘lax days, I picked him up from school and headed into the city. Oh man it was HOT. But thankfully we were dressed appropriately. Got a parking spot, easy peasy, and in the lot too. Had to wake the lilmiss from her slumber but she was more than happy, b/c I said “PARK”. . The carousel is still there but I had to make the keiki byline that, as the point was to check out the “new” park. Oh man and new it was. 2 new play structures, a swing area, a climbing rope tower, a water play area, and they still kept the wall slide!!! YAY!!! Lil man eagerly picked up a piece of cardboard and trekked up the stairs. His sister wasn’t far behind but I knew she wouldn’t have been able to do it, so I walked her back down. Then as soon as he came down a hoard of children came through and started to run up the stairs. Maybe they needed someone to show them the ways, I don’t know. Heh.

They milled around and checked out their designated play areas. Lilmiss seemed to find a friend on the slide and they took turns going up and down the stairs and slide. Lilmiss seemed irritated that she kept calling her “Baby” though, and she was smaller than N. N just kept saying “I’m not a baby Mommy!” Then it was off to the swings. N’s most favorite part of parks. I like it because it keeps her confined.

So it turned out to be a good idea and a good day to check out the “new” park. Definitely a change from the “good ol’ days”. The keiki seemed to enjoy it. N kept making bylines towards the water play and I can’t blame her. It was a nice day. It just didn’t look to be one of the cleaner places to be playing. And there also seemed to be a clique of mommies already hanging out there. I just made up the excuse that she needed her babing soup (N’s translation for bathing suit), and it was good enough for her.

Here’s hoping for more good weather and park days!

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T-minus 2 days and some minutes here and there

It’s crunch time. It’s time to head back home. Time to head back to reality. No more vacation. *sigh* No more beaching. No more shorts and tank weather.

Last night I sent a box of stuff home with the nephews. And I still have so much more to bring home. AIYAH! As is always the case when I come here. And once again as I look at all the stuff, not one thing for me. Not one thing for anyone else. Save for some candy for the bigmister and some coffee for MamaToots and chocolate for PapaToots. All of it for my stinking keiki.

Today we didn’t have much planned so I took the keiki out to Wai.kele. Found some jeans for J for $4.99, and some other odds and ends for them. Saw Mart.in Nievera walking around with some peoples too. Almost, almost worked up something to go and say Hey and get a picture. Of course I didn’t bother.

I’m hoping to squeeze in one more beach day. Hopefully tomorrow. But I know my mom has a pretty tight schedule until we leave, so I’ll just play it by ear. I really, really, really loathe being a chauffeur. BLAH! Totally and completely sucks. Oh well, huh?

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If I could be sweet….

Unfortunately I have my ring tone of Gwen’s “Sweet Escape” in my head right now, hence the title. I can’t think of anything at the moment. I had something last night but blogsome wasn’t being kind to me. Looks to be they were updating to something pretty.

Anyhow a little over a week left here. I can’t believe 2 months is nearly up. It doesn’t seem we’ve been here all that long. We’re currently on hurricane watch. Flossie is on the move south of where we are. Lilman has got his panties in a bunch over the hurricane and I’m not being so nice as to tell him it’s not really going to hit hard where we are. At least I’m hoping it doesn’t! We’re only supposed to expect some rain and showers. The winds have definitely been kicking up though.

Last week we celebrated 2 birthdays, mine and the lilman’s. Very low key for both just dinners with family. Can you believe that J is 8!!!!!! Good Lord! 8!!!!! Dude if that’s not a sign that I’m getting old, then I don’t know what is.

When we get back home it’s back to the grind. No more sitting back and letting someone else cook dinner. BLAH! No more of my mom insisting that she do the laundry. And I have to step up my game and actually become Mommy again. LoL. I don’t know how lilmiss is going to handle it. She’s joined to my mom’s hip and wants nothing to do with me most times. The potty training is certainly coming along. YAY! She still has her moments but if we keep on her enough and just take her despite her not wanting to be taken, everyone is happy!

I’ve got loads of things to bring back home. None for me. None for the big mister. Nothing even to give anyone else. All for the kids and mostly in the form of clothes. Oh well.

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Boring shmoring

Yeah that’s what I am. Boring. Bored. Ask me what I did today. I took a nap. By the time the thought of going to the beach poppd into my head it was much too hot to even be out there. So we didn’t go. School is back in session, so the beaches should be less crowded. Maybe Wednesday. We’v been walking down to the pool, which is so much easier, but now that school is in session there’s a modified schedule going on this week. Let me tell you it was HOT today. It sucked so bad. But the beach wasn’t calling, despite the whines of the kids, I just didn’t have it in me to lug all the crap out (unscheduled) and get all the sand up in the bits.

I haven’t been taking much in the department of photos either. Not even candids of the kids around the house. I suck. I’m telling you. There’s just been stuff weighing on my mind lately and has my mind preoccupied.

Oh and as if N’s birthday didn’t creep up on me. There’s 3 birthdays fast approaching, mom’s at the end of the week. Another of which is my own and I’m in that mode again where it could be a day to come and go and I’d be PERFECTLY fine about it. Lilman’s is right after mine and with the way he’s been acting. OY! Let’s just say he’s walking a thin line with me everyday and he isn’t the pleasant child he was before. OY! He OVERpushes the buttons and one day I might just snap. He’s had his Nintendo DS revoked from him a number of times, he better hope that he shapes up soon b/c the way he’s been, he soon won’t be getting it back until we get back home.

With the birthdays, comes the missing and thinking of my dad. And a celebration that he will be missing. I know I don’t talk about it much here, I’m really a rather private person especially about my feelings. But it sucks, being here and he’s not here. Driving places that he showed us first. His quirky little routes to and from places. Meals that he would enjoy. Lil things the lilmiss does that would send him into a bout of tears, of Joy of course. Saving my son from the wrath of his mother and telling me to ease up on him. It just really sucks.

Like I’ve said I’ve got a ton weighing on my mind as of late. Of all the places to be on a birthday, yes I’m in Hawaii and I honestly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, but there’s all that ICK and YUCK and BLAH in my life that’s preventing me from truly enjoying it.

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